Leg exercise machine with multi exercise capability

Abstract

A leg exercise machine comprises a user support assembly pivotally attached to a sub frame that is linearly attached to a main support frame. The sub frame linearly travels back and forth during leg press exercise and extended leg calf raise exercise. The user support assembly pivots up and down during seated calf raise exercise. A movable brace assembly mounted to the user support assembly adjusts to a first position for engaging a user's legs during seated calf raise exercise and a second position storing the brace assembly during leg press exercise.

1. An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a main frame, said main frame including a linear track; 
 at least one resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise; 
 a sub frame, said sub frame mounted to and linearly movable along said linear track during leg press exercise, said sub frame connected to said resistance element so that linear travel of said sub frame during leg press exercise is resisted by said resistance element; 
 a user support assembly for supporting a user's bottom during exercise, said user support assembly pivotally mounted to said sub frame so as to pivot up and down during seated calf raise exercise, said user support assembly connected to said resistance element so that rotation of said user support assembly is resisted by said resistance element; 
 a first foot platform for pressing with the bottom of one or both of said user's feet during leg press exercise; 
 a second foot platform for supporting the bottom of one or both of said user's feet during seated calf raise exercise, said second foot platform positioned lower than said first foot platform; and 
 a brace pad assembly including at least one brace pad movably mounted to said user support assembly, wherein said brace pad is movable between a first position above said user's knees for engaging said user's legs during seated calf raise exercise, and a second position storing said brace pad assembly so as to not interfere with said user's legs during leg press exercise. 
 
     
     
       2. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a flexible connector system coupled to said resistance element and comprising at least one flexible line, said flexible connector system connecting said sub frame and said user support assembly to said resistance element wherein said resistance element resists linear travel of said sub frame during leg press exercise and resists rotation of said user support assembly during seated calf raise exercise. 
     
     
       3. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said brace pad assembly is pivotally mounted to said user support assembly. 
     
     
       4. The exercise apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said brace pad assembly is telescopically adjustable. 
     
     
       5. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said brace pad assembly is slidingly attached to said user support assembly. 
     
     
       6. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second foot platform is fixedly attached to said sub frame. 
     
     
       7. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second foot platform is fixedly attached to said main frame. 
     
     
       8. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said user support assembly includes a bottom seat assembly including a bottom seat pad and wherein said bottom seat assembly is pivotally mounted to said user support assembly so that said bottom seat pad is angularly adjustable. 
     
     
       9. The exercise apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a multi-function handle bar assembly pivotally mounted to said sub frame. 
     
     
       10. The exercise apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said multi-function handle bar assembly comprises at least one handle interconnected with at least one wheel so that pressing said handle forward will raise said wheel and lift said user support assembly upward. 
     
     
       11. An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a main frame, said main frame including a linear track; 
 at least one resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise; 
 a sub frame, said sub frame mounted to and linearly movable along said linear track during leg press exercise, said sub frame connected to said resistance element so that linear travel of said sub frame during leg press exercise is resisted by said resistance element; 
 a bottom seat and a back seat to support a user during exercise, said bottom seat and back seat attached to said sub frame; 
 a pivot arm assembly pivotally mounted to said sub frame so as to pivot up and down during seated calf raise exercise, said pivot arm assembly connected to said resistance element so that rotation of said pivot arm assembly is resisted by said resistance element; 
 a first foot platform for pressing with the bottom of one or both of said user's feet during leg press exercise; 
 a second foot platform for supporting the bottom of one or both of said user's feet during seated calf raise exercise, said second foot platform positioned lower than said first foot platform; and 
 a brace pad assembly including at least one brace pad movably mounted to said pivot arm assembly, wherein said brace pad is movable between a first position above said user's knees for engaging said user's legs during seated calf raise exercise, and a second position storing said brace pad assembly so as to not interfere with said user's legs during leg press exercise. 
 
     
     
       12. The exercise apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a flexible connector system coupled to said resistance element and comprising at least one flexible line, said flexible connector system connecting said sub frame and said pivot arm assembly to said resistance element wherein said resistance element resists linear travel of said sub frame during leg press exercise and resists rotation of said user support assembly during seated calf raise exercise. 
     
     
       13. The exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said brace pad assembly is pivotally mounted to said pivot arm assembly. 
     
     
       14. The exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said second foot platform is fixedly attached to said sub frame. 
     
     
       15. The exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said second foot platform is fixedly attached to said main frame. 
     
     
       16. The exercise apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said bottom seat is pivotally attached to said sub frame and said back seat is linearly attached to said sub frame. 
     
     
       17. The exercise apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising a multi-function handle bar assembly pivotally mounted to said sub frame. 
     
     
       18. The exercise apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said multi-function handle bar assembly comprises at least one handle interconnected with at least one wheel so that pressing said handle forward will raise said wheel and lift said pivot arm assembly upward. 
     
     
       19. An exercise apparatus comprising:
 a main frame, said main frame including a linear track; 
 at least one resistance element to provide resistance for performing exercise; 
 a sub frame, said sub frame mounted to and linearly movable along said linear track during leg press exercise; 
 a first foot platform for pressing with the bottom of one or both of a user's feet during leg press exercise, said first foot platform attached to said sub frame; 
 a user support assembly for supporting a user's bottom during exercise, said user support assembly pivotally mounted to said main frame so as to pivot up and down during seated calf raise exercise; 
 a second foot platform for supporting the bottom of one or both of said user's feet during seated calf raise exercise, said second foot platform positioned lower than said first foot platform; 
 a brace pad assembly including at least one brace pad movably mounted to said user support assembly, wherein said brace pad is movable between a first position above said user's knees for engaging said user's legs during seated calf raise exercise, and a second position storing said brace pad assembly so as to not interfere with said user's legs during leg press exercise; and 
 a flexible connector system coupled to said resistance element and comprising at least one flexible line, said flexible connector system connecting said sub frame and said user support assembly to said resistance element wherein said resistance element resists linear travel of said sub frame during leg press exercise and resists rotation of said user support assembly during seated calf raise exercise.